The family of a Scottish woman who fell from a 10th-floor balcony in Spain have spoken of their fresh hope of finding out what led to her death.

Kirsty Maxwell, 27, died shortly after entering a Benidorm apartment which was occupied by five men from Nottingham.

Spanish police believe Mrs Maxwell, from Livingston, jumped from the balcony after a night out with friends.

Her family say expert evidence shows that, in fact, she scaled the barrier then clung to it but lost her grip.

Now that evidence from biomechanics expert Mike Brown is to be viewed by a Spanish judge looking into the case.

Meanwhile, one of the UK’s most experienced forensic scientists has agreed to review the circumstances of Mrs Maxwell’s death. Read more here

31st January 2019 – Update from Kirsty’s family

Kirsty’s family, David Swindle, Eva Navarro and the Spanish Lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu had a long Skype video conference last night ( 30th January 2019) during which various encouraging aspects of the ongoing investigation were discussed.

Due to the sensitivity of ongoing live court and investigatory issues it would be inappropriate to go into detail about these matters at this time.

Suffice to say it was an encouraging discussion with the Spanish Lawyer.

In tandem with ongoing court investigations, there is still a need to maintain the impetus and profile of the appeal for witnesses and information which we know is still out there.

Please keep sharing and re-sharing our appeals for information.

Thanks

5th December 2018

ONGOING COURT PROCEEDINGS

As everyone will be aware from our social media updates over the last month, there continues to be ongoing court proceedings involving our recently appointed lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu.

Once again we re-iterate that at this time it would be inappropriate to publish detailed information about what is ongoing, suffice to say Kirsty’s family, their lawyer and supporting review team are encouraged by the ongoing court processes which are enabling the lawyer to push for answers and examine potential evidential opportunities.

In tandem with what’s going on in Court Kirsty’s family continue to appeal for information and hope that during this period when things are quite in Benidorm, people talk to each other and information we know is still out there is forthcoming.

16th November – Statement from Kirsty’s Family

As a result of more media selective speculation regarding significant witnesses appearing in private at Benidorm Court, Spain Kirsty’s dad Brian who is not available for media interview released this statement:

“It’s been a very difficult few weeks for our family encouraged by our knowledge that progress regarding confidential court led investigations into Kirsty’s death continues and the disappointment of having to read journalistic selective speculation about what is alleged to have been happening in private behind the closed doors of Benidorm Court.

Once again I re-iterate that at this time we as a family and our Spanish lawyer are not prepared to comment on upsetting speculation or alleged extracts of testimonies of witnesses who have appeared at court or theories which continue to feature.

Whilst there have been irretrievable shortcomings in police investigations into Kirsty’s death, we as a family continue to place our trust in the Spanish legal system and our lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu regarding the live investigation led by a Spanish Judge which continues into Kirsty’s death.

My daughter Kirsty lost her young life in unresolved suspicious circumstances whilst on holiday in Benidorm in April 2017 and there are people who stayed at My Pretty Payma / Apartmentos Payma and Hotel Presidente Benidorm, Spain with information who have not spoken out.

I hope that the media and our many social media followers will continue to share our posts appealing for information which can assist ongoing investigations into Kirsty’s death.

Thanks for everyone’s continued support it means so much to our family, close circle of friends and Kirsty’s legacy”

7th November – Benidorm death: Two in court over Kirsty Maxwell plunge

Article written by Andy McLauren of the STV-TV News you will also find a video on this link which may help refresh peoples memories of the event.

Kirsty Maxwell, from Livingston, West Lothian, died after falling from the tenth floor of the resort’s Apartmentos Payma hotel on April 29, 2017.

The 27-year-old entered a room being used by five men from England before the incident, where she was described as being in a “state of terror”.

Ricky Gammon, 31, Anthony Holehouse, 34, Callum Northridge, 27, and 32-year-old Daniel Bailey appeared at the Palau de Justicia last year, when they denied any involvement in Kirsty’s death.

The lawyer for the men, Roberto Sanchez Martinez, said two of them, who weren’t in the room when Kirsty died, are due to appear in court on Thursday.

He added that they will declare they didn’t see anything in the lead up to Kirsty’s death.

The lawyer also confirmed experts have found no DNA from analysing her nails and hands.

In relation to the DNA tests, Kirsty’s dad, Brian Curry, said: “At this important juncture when we as a family are aware of confidential matters subject to investigation by the court it would be inappropriate for us and our lawyer to comment on what’s being published in newspapers and online.”

The family were desperate to find out what happened to her missing pink T-shirt and denim skirt.

It then emerged Spanish forensic officers destroyed them after her death.

Kirsty’s dad added: “Whilst it’s upsetting for us to read such speculation when we know the court and our lawyer is actively investigating various aspects regarding Kirsty’s death, we continue to maintain our dignity and respect the court processes by avoiding speaking publicly about matters which could be perceived as sensitive potential evidential and process issues.”

2nd November 2018 – KIRSTY MAXWELL’S FAMILY REMAIN DETERMINED AS THEY RETURN TO SPAIN – NEW SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Kirsty Maxwell’s mum Denise and dad Brian returned to Spain to meet their recently appointed Spanish Lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu and discuss important issues regarding the suspicious death of their beloved Kirsty

Brian said
“ It’s so emotional and heart wrenching returning to Spain and terrible that we as a family need to keep pushing for answers and progress, sadly that is what we have to do. We spent yesterday with our lawyer Lorena and Eva Navarro from our review team and are hopeful that things we have been asking to be done will be progressed by The Court.”
“We are determined to keep pushing for progress and asking for answers until we get the truth about what happened to Kirsty”

Spanish Lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu said:

“What happened to Kirsty Maxwell is a tragedy and that is why, from our office we will work together with her family to do everything legally possible and ensure a complete clarification of the facts, that will lead us to know the truth about Kirsty’s death.
Yesterday was a difficult day for Brian and Denise, who in addition to having to travel to Spain, have had to spend hours talking about the case and reflecting on unpleasant events. Our legal work will be aimed at helping the parents of Kirsty and husband, Adam with our legal-procedural work being directed to obtain the answers that to date have not been achieved. ”

Photos of Brian and Denise in Spain meeting Lorena and Eva and other information will be uploaded to social media

It is not clear if the move is linked to a new development in the judicial investigation – or a bid by Spanish authorities to try to protect themselves against more criticism from Kirsty’s family.

The judge probing the death of Scots holidaymaker Kirsty Maxwell has summoned police involved in the case to court.

Ana Isabel Garcia-Galbis has agreed to quiz the officers at the request of state prosecutors.

It’s immediately clear today if the surprise move is linked to a new development in the judicial investigation – or a bid by Spanish authorities to try to protect themselves against more criticism from Kirsty’s family over their handling of the case and an appeal against any future decision to close the court probe.

Several officers, thought to include the investigator who put together the local force’s report on Kirsty’s April 29 2017 death, and the first police to reach the 10th-floor Benidorm apartment she plunged from, have been called to give evidence next week.

The October 12 hearing, which will take place in private, will be the first time the judge has formally questioned the officers in person.

The state prosecutor will also attend along with the lawyer acting for the five Brits who remain under investigation over Kirsty’s death.

Kirsty’s family will also be given the chance to ask questions through a lawyer if they have one, although they are not thought to have hired a permanent replacement for Luis Miguel Zumaquero who resigned in April.

There was no immediate official response from court officials or police today.

New footage of Kirsty returning to the Payma Apartments in Benidorm’s Little England area shortly before her death were shown as part of BBC documentary Killed Abroad which was screened in Scotland in August.

The 27-year-old hen-do reveller plunged to her death after entering a room where five British men were partying.